oldEpisode Three-hundred-seventy: With
Jennifer Away, Jack Works to Win
Back Her and Their Money. He Discovers
That
Hawk Was After Them Since LA.
[Air date late December 1991]

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER HAS GONE FOR AN INTERVIEW IN NEW YORK. JACK IS UNCERTAIN IF SHE WILL TAKE IT AND THUS LEAVE HIM. MISSING HER AND WORRIED SHE MAY NOT WANT HIM BACK, JACK IS AT ALICE'S RESTAURANT SIPPING COFFEE.

 

ALICE: Jack?

JACK: Ah, yes, Mrs. Horton.

ALICE: I suppose you realize that you're wearing the same.... outfit that you had on yesterday.

JACK: Yes. I advise you to keep your distance. It smelt a little better yesterday too.

ALICE: Well other than that, how are you?

JACK: Well I've been better. In the middle of root canals I've been better.

ALICE: Is something wrong? I mean other than the obvious.

JACK: Oh I don't know. Jennifer went traipsing off to Washington DC in search of a new job and a new life, but....

ALICE: Yes, I know about that and I think it may be a good thing.

JACK: Oh, well I'm glad someone's seen a ray of hope in all of this. (Beat) Listen, perhaps I could loan you my watch for a couple of days. Well you could spot me a couple of breakfasts. I mean I haven't eaten in over 48 hours.

ALICE: Jack, are you serious?

JACK: Yes, I'm serious. I'm starting to look like a social x-ray. Miss one more meal, I'll look like Nancy Reagan.

 

ALICE LAUGHS [FRANCES REID REALLY CRACKS UP AT THIS MATTHEW REMARK].

 

ALICE: Jack, calm down. I'll feed you. You can have anything you want on the menu.

 

SHE HANDS HIM THE MENU AND HE QUICKLY GRABS IT.

 

JACK: You may be sorry you said that.

ALICE: Now about what I said before, you know, what I said that I thought it was a good thing about Jennifer going to Washington to see about a new job. Well it may be just exactly what you need. It will give you time to cool off, both of you.

JACK: Well I'm not sure you're right but.... other than that there are some other problems. I understand that Jennifer's trust fund has been used up.

ALICE: Well no wonder. She's just been pouring money into the paper.

JACK: Yes, I also understand that she made you major stockholders. I just want say right now that everything's going to be alright. I'm going to turn the paper around and get it in the black again.

ALICE: I'm sure you will.

JACK: And we're going to get back the five million dollars that someone stole from me.

ALICE: How are you going to do that?

JACK: Well I'm not exactly sure how but I have a lead or rather a very strong feeling that Jennifer's friend Baby Howie is involved in this.

ALICE: You know Jack, I'm no fonder of that young man than you are, but there is something that doesn't quite fit.

JACK: I suppose you're talking about more than my suit.

ALICE: I'm talking about Hawk's financial situation. From what I hear, he's going to be a very rich man shortly. Is that so?

JACK: Yes, I suppose he could be, yes.

ALICE: Well if that's the case, why would he go to all the trouble of trying to cheat you out of your money?

 

JACK PONDERS THAT QUESTION WHILE ALICE GETS HIM SOME BREAKFAST.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER HE IS SITTING IN HIS BOOTH SURROUNDED BY PLATES AND PLATES OF FOOD AND HE'S BUSY FILLING HIMSELF UP. GINGER COMES OVER AGAIN AND SITS DOWN.

 

JACK: Not you again, please.

GINGER: Yes, me again. You like a hearty breakfast, don't you?

JACK: I also like silent waitresses, thank you.

GINGER: Not a chance. You know you blew me off the other day but I meant it when I said we have to talk.

JACK: You know I meant it when I blew you off too.

GINGER: You know you may not believe this but we have a mutual problem and his name is Hawk Hawkins. He's a bad guy and he's not going away.

JACK: Why don't you tell me something that I don't know? Like, ah, could I find the doggy bags behind the counter? I bet I can.
oldEp370A
HE GETS UP AND SHE FOLLOWS
.

 

JACK: Cause I am going to need them.

GINGER: You know maybe you don't get this, but I am trying to help you.

 

HE REACHES OVER THE COUNTER AND PICKS UP A FEW DOGGY BAGS.

 

JACK: Help me how?

GINGER: By giving you bits and pieces of information that you might find interesting.

 

THAT INTERESTS JACK.

 

JACK: For instance?

GINGER: For instance, I think that Hawk and that psychic person have got something going.

JACK: That psychic person, are we talking about DesirØe?

GINGER: DesirØe. Jennifer told me that the two of you ran into her when you were out on your honeymoon in LA and she gave you a reading.

JACK: For a price, yes. So?

GINGER: So, you think it's just a coincidence she shows back up in Salem just like this?

JACK: Well it could be, yes.

 

HE GOES BACK TO THE TABLE TO PUT HIS LEFTOVER FOOD IN THE DOGGY BAGS.

 

GINGER: What? And it's another coincidence that everytime I turn around the two of them are sitting in some booth or table just talking away. You know what, they're whisperin', no they're hissin' like snakes. Sssssss.

JACK: How can you be so sure of this?

GINGER: If you don't believe me, you can ask Mrs. Horton because she's seen them together.

JACK: Well truth be told I would like to find out what's going on here, yes.

GINGER: Huh, huh. Well you do have your suspicions then.

JACK: Yes, I have my suspicions. About Baby Howie? I've been trying to figure out what the hell's going on with him since day one. Unfortunately nothing makes any sense so....

 

HAWK WALKS INTO THE RESTAURANT AND GINGER FREAKS OUT. SHE JUMPS UP.

 

GINGER: Ah sorry, I gotta go.

 

SHE TELLS ALICE THAT SHE NEEDS A BREAK AND RUNS OUT.

SCENE THREE: HAWK SITS DOWN AND ORDERS WHILE JACK GOES ABOUT GETTING HIS DOGGY BAGS ORGANIZED. WHILE JACK IS AT THE COUNTER HE LOOKS ACROSS AT HAWK READING A MAGAZINE. SOMETHING ABOUT THE WHOLE SCENE REMINDS JACK OF SOMETHING. HE STARTS TO WALK TOWARDS HAWK WHO JUMPS UP.

 

HAWK: Hey, now wait a minute Jack. You're not going to sucker punch me again.

JACK: Ah no, no, that's not what I'm here for. (Beat) I wanted to call a truce.

HAWK: Say what?

JACK: A truce, you know bury the hatchet, peace pipe and all that.

HAWK: Well that doesn't sound much like you Jack.

JACK: No it doesn't really but I tell you something. I just changed my tune. Just right now.

HAWK: Oh, so you want to let bygones be bygones?

JACK: Yes, yes, like you know, water under the bridge, over the dam, everything like that. What do you say? Shake on it?

 

JACK EXTENDS HIS HAND. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT JACK IS KNOWS SOMETHING, AND IS PLANNING SOMETHING TO GET HAWK; AND HIS MONEY AND ESPECIALLY JENNIFER BACK.

 

HAWK: Oh what the hell Jack. Why not, right?

 

THEY SHAKE HANDS SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY.

 

JACK: Yes, why not. So I'll see you around.

HAWK: You will?

JACK: Yes I figure that now we're officially friends we should spend some more.... some more quality time together. Goodbye.

 

JACK WALKS OVER AND PICKS UP HIS PINK COAT AND DOGGY BAGS. HE LOOKS BACK AS HAWK PUTS ON HIS COWBOY HAT. JACK IS NOW SURE THAT HE IS SEEN THAT HAT SOMEPLACE ELSE.


SCENE FOUR: JACK GOES BACK TO THE PENTHOUSE AND SETS UP THE VCR DESPITE THE PLUG BEING ON JENNIFER'S SIDE.

 

JACK: Yeah, well sorry to cross the line Jennifer, as it were. But someone has to think of our greater good. Now, where is this? We were watching this video tape before. Somewhere in here you were recording our visit to Venice Beach. (Beat) That's it.... that's it! There's the crime magazine and the cowboy hat.

 

HE FREEZES THE PICTURE OF HAWK SITTING READING.

 

JACK: HEH!

 

HE WALKS OVER AND HAS A CLOSE LOOK THEN SITS BACK DOWN.

 

JACK: (Talking to himself) Well I'll be doggone. Howie set us up from the start!

oldEp370B


[Air date early January 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: LOOKING OVER THE TAPE FROM THEIR HONEYMOON, JACK SPOTS HAWK IN THE BACKGROUND . JACK IS REALLY SURPRISED AT SEEING HAWK ON THE TAPE AND ON THE STRENGTH OF THIS EVIDENCE HE INVITES GINGER OVER TO TALK.

 

JACK: Please, thank you for coming. Come right in.

GINGER: Well you said to get over here as soon as I could.

 

SHE SEES THE TAPE DIVIDING THE APARTMENT.

 

GINGER: Well this is interesting. You and the wife having trouble?

JACK: Why would you say that?

GINGER: I did this once with the rat that I used to live with.

JACK: I beg your pardon.

GINGER: Um, you know the problems that you and your wife are having, they probably have a little bit to do with Hawk, I would guess.

JACK: Not to change the subject but he is the reason I asked you over here.

GINGER: It's interesting because you know you never wanted to hear anything I had to say before. What changed your mind?

 

HE PICKS UP THE VIDEO TAPE.

 

JACK: This!

GINGER: What's that?

JACK: Just some home movies that Jennifer and I made of our honeymoon.

GINGER: What?

JACK: Just step back right here. Thank you.

GINGER: Well what's this got to do with Hawk?

 

JACK PRESSES PLAY.

 

JACK: Right.... there!

 

HE FREEZES THE SHOT OF HAWK SITTING WITH THE MAGAZINE.

 

GINGER: Well my, my, my. And you don't think this is a coincidence?

JACK: No, no this is no coincidence at all. This was taken about the time that we met Desirée McCall. We've watched this before but it didn't mean anything until I saw Baby Howie at Alice's Restaurant wearing the same cowboy hat and reading a crime magazine. Then it all clicked. Imagine my surprise seeing his face on my television screen.

GINGER: Well it's obvious that he's been up to something with you two since your honeymoon.

JACK: Yes, but what?

GINGER: You got me.

JACK: You know if you told me your relationship with Baby Howie I'm sure it would help me a lot.

GINGER: Oh, I can't.

JACK: You can't? It was your instigation that started this whole thing. Now you must have had a good reason. Don't tell me it was just to see Jennifer and myself happy.

GINGER: What's wrong with that?

JACK: Nothing, if it's the truth, which I sincerely doubt. So what is the truth?

GINGER: Okay, if you want my help I'll make a deal with you. You don't ask me anything more about this and I won't ask you how you were stupid enough to get involved with Hawk in the first place. (Cough, cough)

JACK: HEH!

GINGER: Well, do we have a deal or not?

ACK: Alright, for the time present, we have a deal. (Beat) Because I have to find out what's the story with Howard Alston Hawkins III.

 

JACK GETS ON THE PHONE TO START THE PLAN.

 

JACK: Thank you, yes.

 

JACK HANGS UP.

 

JACK: Well my connection with the police department will be more than happy to help.

GINGER: What's he going to do?

JACK: He's going to get the criminal records of one Howard Alston Hawkins. I have reason to believe that he is a professional.

GINGER: Well he was pro enough to con you.

JACK: I can only be conned by a pro.

GINGER: You know I don't understand what he's doing conning anybody? He's got more money than god.

JACK: Not necessarily. In fact technically he's broke.

GINGER: What are you talking about?

JACK: That crazy old grandfather of his put a stipulation in his will. He wanted me to become the executor of his entire estate. If I decided to do that, I could sign over his entire inheritance. If I didn't do that, he might not get a dime. (Beat) I didn't do that.

GINGER: Why didn't you do that?

JACK: I didn't want to get involved. Then again, look at me now, more involved than ever.

GINGER: Now I'm not getting any of this. I mean why would he want to double cross the one guy who can make him rich?

JACK: Revenge, because I didn't help him out.

GINGER: No, he's not the type. I mean all he wants was the inheritance and he doesn't give a damn about anything else.

JACK: You certainly seem to know a lot about this.

GINGER: Oh.... no. I mean I'm just a good judge of character.

JACK: I'm sure you are. I think it's time to check with my police friend. Maybe he can shed some light on the situation.

GINGER: You know if.... Jack, if you're going to cops, I want to come with.

JACK: Well to tell you the truth, I don't think that would be such a good....

 

SHE GRABS HER COAT AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR.

 

JACK: After you.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND GINGER ARRIVE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY MEET JACK'S CONTACT.

 

JACK: Right Bart, let's get hacking. Ginger, get the window please. Alright, you check the police files. What have we got on Howie Hawkins?

 

THE BART POLICEMAN SITS DOWN AT A COMPUTER AND JACK LEANS IN TO WATCH WHAT COMES UP.

 

BART: Not a thing.

JACK: What do you mean, not a thing? Is it Howard Hawkins? "H-A-W-K-I-N-S."

BART: I'm sorry but there's nothing on him.

JACK: Sorry? Not as sorry as I am. (Beat) Alright what do we do know? GINGER: Well I don't know. I guess we're back to square one.

JACK: Alright Bart, thanks for now. Thanks for.... ah, wait a minute. Wait a minute. We have one more person to check here. DesirØe McCall. Ah that's.... ah McCall.... that's....

GINGER: Like in the magazine.

JACK: Ah, yes, like in the magazine. DesirØe with two E¡s.

 

BART PRINTS OFF A COMPLETE LIST OF DESIRÉE'S RECORD WHICH IS QUITE EXTENSIVE.

 

GINGER: This is truly amazing. DesirØe has a rap sheet that's.... it's like a mile long.

JACK: Huh, uh. Listen to this. Obstructing traffic, running a business without a license, bouncing checks. But they're all misdemeanors. No felonies.

GINGER: Yeah but it's still pretty strange company for Hawk to be keeping, don't you think?

JACK: That's if he is who he says he is.

GINGER: Oh he is alright.

 

JACK LOOKS AT HER IN SURPRISE. SHE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS HAWK *VERY* WELL.

 

GINGER: Ah, well he and his grandpa have been in the papers enough times. I mean if he really wasn't, somebody would have called him on it by now.

JACK: Yes, I'm sure they would have. Bart, if it's alright with you, I'd like to take this with me.

BART: Sure Mr. Deveraux, it's all yours.

JACK: Thank you. I'll be doing a little studying at home.

GINGER: What, wait a minute. Let me help you. Cause maybe with the two of us together we can find out what these guys are up to.

JACK: Yes, maybe we will. Right this way.

SCENE THREE: JACK AND GINGER HAVE GONE BACK TO THE PENTHOUSE TO WORK.

 

JACK: Alright, tell me. Did you come up with anymore connections between Baby Howie and DesirØe?

GINGER: No, nothing. Except she was mixed up with something at the race track and Hawk likes the ponies.

JACK: He likes a lot of things. One thing he likes most of all is taking advantage of poor lost souls.

GINGER: That we already know. So what else we got on him?

JACK: Ah, Baby Howie and DesirØe were in Hollywood at the same time as.... Jennifer and myself.... and Eve.

GINGER: Who's Eve?

JACK: Ah, Eve. Eve is a little gold digger I was sort of married to for a time.

GINGER: Sort of married to?

JACK: It's kind of a long story and there's no time to explain. Just suffice to say she showed in Hollywood looking for me. She found me in Universal Studios and started screaming at the top of her lungs asking for all of my money. (Beat) In front of everyone.... including Baby Howie.

GINGER: Yeah but what would he care about for? I mean he knows as soon as the old man dies he's going to get all his money.

JACK: Unless....

GINGER: Unless there's no money to get.

GINGER: Come on, this is the Mohawk Candy Company. These guys are rolling in the dough.

JACK: Fortunes have a way of coming and going.... as well I know.

GINGER: Okay so then what about the will?

JACK: Perhaps there was nothing left to will by that point. Perhaps Howie already knew that.

GINGER: Well if what you're saying is true, it's a whole different story.

JACK: There's only one way to figure this out. Excuse me.... ah excuse me.

 

JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

HAWK: Yeah?

JACK: Ah, Howie, this is your friend Jack. How's it going?

HAWK: Okay Jack.

JACK: Listen I know that you're holding that little altercation between us against me. I.... I'm really hoping you won't. In fact I'd like to make it up to you.

HAWK: Yeah well that's really not necessary Jack.

JACK: No, I mean it. Why don't you come over to the penthouse and.... um, I'll make it worth your while.

HAWK: Well like I said Jack.

JACK: Howie, I won't take no for an answer. If you don't come over here, I'll find you.

HAWK: Well there's no need for that Jack. I'll be right over.

JACK: I'll be waiting.

 

JACK HANGS UP.

 

JACK: He's one his way over.

GINGER: I hope you know what you're doing.

 

JACK GATHERS UP JENNIFER'S DIVIDING TAPE AND STOPS FOR A MINUTE AT THE WEDDING PICTURE.

 

JACK: Well, we'll certainly find out, won't we?

SCENE FOUR: A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PENTHOUSE IS ALL CLEAN JUST IN TIME FOR HAWK'S ARRIVAL. GINGER IS HIDING.

 

JACK: Howie, come on in.

HAWK: Thank you Jack.

JACK: I know that you're a bourbon and branch kind of guy and I set some up for the occasion.

HAWK: And what occasion is that?

JACK: We're celebrating your emancipation.

HAWK: I'm not sure I follow you.

JACK: Well you know I asked you over here for a little talk.

HAWK: Yeah, and I was happy to oblige.

JACK: Heheh, no, no, no it's a turnabout. I'm the one that's doing the obliging.

HAWK: What are you talking about?

JACK: I'm talking about this.

 

JACK HOLDS UP A COPY OF HOWARD'S WILL.

 

HAWK: That's my grandpa's will.

JACK: Well it's a copy of it but it will suffice. You see I've agreed to become executor of your grandfather's estate. As such I'm ready to sign over all your money.... to you.

HAWK: But wait a minute Jack, you can't do that.

JACK: You're not trying to turn down the money are you?

HAWK: No, no, it's just that grandpa didn't want you to sign this thing over to me unless you thought I was worthy of it. And I think, judging by the way you've been acting towards me lately Jack, I don't believe you do.

JACK: Well remember what I said. Let bygones be bygones, okay.

 

JACK IS ABOUT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.

 

HAWK: Yeah, ah, Jack, wait a minute.

JACK: You do want this money, don't you?

HAWK: Well of course and I do appreciate it. It's just that you know Chauncey.... Chauncey would never go for this Jack. He's going to see right through it.

JACK: Oh we don't have to worry about Chauncey. Now that I've become executor of the estate, Chauncey's out of a job. With one stroke of my pen you're in fat city.

HAWK: Yeah but I still don't think it's going to work Jack.

JACK: Why don't we just give it a try though.

 

JACK SIGNS THE DOCUMENTS.

 

JACK: Here we go. Just put my Jack Deveraux right here and we're set.

 

HE HANDS THE DOCUMENTS TO HAWK.

 

JACK (CONT.): You give this to Chauncey and start celebrating.

HAWK: Ah....

JACK: What ?

HAWK: Jack, you know what, I don't know what to say.

JACK: Well there's nothing to say. You go home, rest on it, sleep on it if you will.

HAWK: Huh, huh.

JACK: And you'll realize.... you'll realize it's all sunk in.

HAWK: Yeah but you know Jack, this is something that you....

JACK: Now, now, now, there's no reason to thank me. There's no reason to thank me. Just seeing you happy is thanks enough.

HAWK: Yeah.

JACK: Have a good day.

HAWK: Okay, you too Jack. Thank you

JACK: Bye, bye.

 

JACK SHUTS THE DOOR. HAWK IS REALLY WORRIED. INSIDE GINGER COMES OUT OF HIDING.

 

GINGER: I thought his jaw was going to drop on the floor.

JACK: Yes but was it because he was getting his money or because there was no money to get?

GINGER: I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Transcribed by Carol Vaughan
added material by Sally A. Wilson]